Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa
assured state government's help to the family of Colonel
Jojan Thomas who died while fighting with terrorists in
Kashmir on Friday, Aug 22. Speaking to the brave
soldier's wife Beena after visiting their house in the
city to pay his respects, he said besides other help the
government would take care of the educational expenses
of Col Thomas' children.

The mortal remains of the
Colonel was laid to rest with full state honours in the
city on Monday, Aug 25. Earlier, hundreds of people
visit the colonel's home at Manekshaw Vihar in the city
after his body was flown in on Saturday, Aug 23. The
43-year-old Colonel was killed in a fierce battle
between a militants and the quick reaction team of 45
Rashtriya Rifles of which he was in the lead. His team
killed six militants but the officer was also fatally
injured in the encounter.

The body was taken for funeral
service at St Geroge Kanaya Syrian Church at Domlur in
the city. H.E
Kuriakose Mor Severios, the Archbishop of Malankara
Syrian Knanaya Jacobite Archdiocese led the funeral
servcie. Speaking to
newspersons after paying his tribute, Mr Yeddyurappa
said has said that the Colonel had set an example for
bravery and the whole nation was indebted to him.

During the early hours on 22
Aug 08, Col Thomas had received information about
suspicious movement from one of the ambush parties of
the unit in Machhal Sector. He immediately moved to the
area and took stock of the situation. Detailed search
continued thereafter. At around 0700h Col Thomas and his
Quick Reaction Team came in contact with a group of
terrorists and in the ensuing gunfight, neutralized two
terrorists, though the officer also sustained gun shot
wounds.

With the valiant death of Col
Jojan Thomas, India lost another of its brave sons in
the frontline of war against terror- Terror organized by
the enemies of the Nation, with the help of betrayers
within our borders. However, for Indian security forces,
each death reiterates their commitment and strengthens
their resolve to fight hostile forces that have always
tried to put India’s existence as a Nation into
jeopardy.

Col Jojan Thomas was
commissioned on 08 Mar 86 from OTA, Chennai in 11 JAT
Regt. Besides holding prestigious staff appointments as
GSO-1 (Ops) 3 Corps and Instructor FTM, ASC Centre &
College Bangalore was also an experienced Pilot
(flying). Despite the injury Col Thomas continued the
search in the dense forested area and again confronted
the terrorists. This resulted in the death of two more
terrorists. However, Col Thomas too suffered fatal
injuries in the fresh fire fight and succumbed to his
injuries. So far the unit has received confirmation of
six terrorists having been killed.

A native of Thiruvalla Kerala
based Colonel Thomas belonged to a family that served
defence services with distinction. His father Capt (rtd)
P A Thomas had died last September and the family was
staying in the city for the last three years. The
colonel is survived by his wife Beena Jojan Thomas,
daughter Meghana Thomas (18) and son Philemon Thomas
(11).

The garlanded portrait of Col
Jojan Thomas welcomes friends, relatives and visitors at
his flat in Manekshaw Vihar on St John's Church Road. He
was one of the four armymen killed in an encounter with
militants in Kupwara, Jammu & Kashmir, on Friday
morning.

Coming to terms with the death
of a dear one is not easy. "He left the city on August 9
after a month-long vacation. We even had a voice chat
with him the night before his death. Today, he is no
more and it is difficult for us to accept this,
especially for my mother ," said Meghana, Col Thomas'
daughter.

He was leading a 45 Rashtriya
Rifles ' reaction team in the forests of Macchal near
the Line of Control. The team shot down six militants.

The body was brought to
Bangalore Command Hospital on Saturday night. It will be
taken to St George Knanaya Church on Monday and cremated
with state honours at 2.30 pm, at the cemetery on Hosur
Road.

Meghana said: "We know it is a
risky job. Since I am the eldest child, the family is
now my responsibility." She is undergoing commercial
pilot training at the Philippines. "I was here on a
vacation. Now, I will have to extend my leave. We moved
to Bangalore three years ago after staying at several
places in the country. My father wanted us to settle
here and concentrate on our careers. Our life will
continue as he planned it," she added.

Major Sandhu, a friend, last
spoke to Col Thomas on Wednesday. "It's a big loss for
the Army. He had experience working in various terrains
for over 20 years. He also served as a pilot for six
years. Youngsters looked up to him as he was a wonderful
mentor and an inspiring personality. Above all, Col
Thomas was a great human being," major Sandhu recounted.